Running From the Night (3 page)

Chapter Five

Jelani came awake from the fitful sleep of aggressive nightmares. First he’d been running through some blasted forest full of charred black trees where zombies grew out of the ground to chase him. Then he was chased by what looked like those two guys he’d run into at the park last night. Instead of that ugly white, their eyes were glowing red, and their fangs were twice as long. He had run tirelessly but was never able to escape them. Finally, a nine foot tall cloaked figure had slowly descended from the sky and hurled his attackers away.

Jelani swung his legs over the side of the bed and sat for a moment, rubbing his hands over his hairless head. After running a hand over his face and realizing he needed to shave, he stood and opened the blinds on the only window of his room. There had never been a time Jelani had ever been more happy to see the sun. Despite the nightmares, the sleep was still rejuvenating, and he was able to go over the previous night’s events with a fresher mind.

Of what he saw last night, there was no doubt he was attacked by two people who were more than what they appeared. He vividly remembered being stopped in his tracks by nothing more than that assassin’s demand that he do so. He remembered those eyes, the fangs, and lastly, the tall black guy who had saved him. Perhaps the figure most strongly burned into his mind’s eye was that exotic woman he’d seen.

If ever there was a piece of the puzzle that was out of place, it was the presence of that woman. Though he had only been afforded a quick glimpse, he remembered those light brown, almond shaped eyes, the smooth brown skin, a little darker than his, and that hypnotic slanted smile.

The girl was only about five feet five inches tall, and slim and curvy. He could assume she was with that tall unfriendly-looking guy, but even if that were true, the girl didn’t seem the slightest bit disturbed by what was going on around her.

“Thinking about all this is making my head hurt,” he thought aloud. “Maybe I should just do everything in daylight and stay inside at night.”

Jelani walked into the bathroom and looked in the mirror. Tired eyes above a scraggly goatee stared back at him. He mostly preferred the bald head with goatee look, but occasionally the facial hair would get on his nerves and he would shave it off. Deciding he wasn’t tired of it just yet, he pulled out the electric shaver and gave it a good trim before washing his face and starting the shower. “Time to get the day started.”

Just as he was about to disrobe, his phone rang to the tune of “Duel of the Fates,” from
Star Wars: The Phantom Menace
. He picked up the phone and rolled his eyes. “Oh, Melinda,” he breathed. “Must be bored.” He answered the call. “Hello?” he said, reaching his arm into the shower to turn off the water. “Yeah, just getting the day started. Whatcha got?”

Melinda’s voice was like silk flowing through the phone. “Oh, I don’t know. Why don’t you tell me, love? I was bored and thought I’d reach out, since I haven’t heard from you in so long.”

“We spoke two days ago and I’m glad it’s me you turn to when you’re bored.”

“You know what I mean, honey. And it feels like it’s been longer than just a couple days. I want to see you. What are you doing today?”

“Washing my hair.”

There was laughter on the other end of the line. “Nice. So does that mean you don’t want to see me? Are you mad at me about something?”

If he had been standing in front of her, Jelani was positive he would see her bottom lip poked out and her chin in that cute little wrinkle that she was so good at. The girl knew how to be cute, he had to give her that.

“No, I’m not mad at you at all. I’ve just got some things going on that I need to sort through right now.”

“Why don’t you take a break and let’s do something today? Maybe catch a movie or get something to eat?”

Translation: I’m out a minimum of fifty bucks for today.
“You have something in mind you wanted to see?”

“I’ve been wanting to see
The Sainted Sinner
since I saw the trailer six months ago.”

Suddenly, Jelani felt sleepy again. “
The Sainted Sinner
? Seriously? You want to subject me to a movie about a prostitute who went on to own her own brothel, met a female monk, and changed the brothel and everyone in it to a place of worship before she was murdered, and then, later recognized by the Catholic Church for her goodly deeds?”

“You sound like you’ve already seen it.”

“In a moment of disbelief, I read an article about it.”

“The story might do you some good.”

Jelani almost laughed. “Because I’m always out whoring around, right?”

“Because you might find it inspirational, smart ass. You know it’s supposed to be based on a true story.”

“And that is going to make me more inclined to see it?”

“That and the prospect of seeing it with someone who would like very much to see it with you.” There was a pause, and Jelani realized she’d just hit the ball in his court.

“Can I call you when I get out of the shower? You just caught me about to jump in.”

“Mmm. You know you shouldn’t tell me things like that unless you don’t mind me picturing you naked.”

“Maybe I don’t mind.”

“Maybe I’ll come over and join you.”

“Don’t say it unless you mean it.”

She giggled, and it was that cute, girlie giggle that he didn’t really care for. “I’ll talk to you after you’ve gotten all prettied up, baby.”

“Righteo.”

O O O

Only the guilt of being wasteful forced Jelani to finally end the hot shower that he could have enjoyed indefinitely. After drying off, he went into his room and turned on his computer. While waiting for it to boot up, he sent Melinda a text message.
What time, what theater, and where do you want to meet?

After he sent the message, he went to the computer to check his email. A thought crossed his mind, and he pulled up the local news. Though not unexpected, his blood still ran cold when he saw the report of the incident in Stanley Park last night. It felt almost surreal to read about something like this that he had been a part of.

Jelani had never been in any real trouble, maybe a bad grade here or there when he was a child, maybe a schoolyard fight or two, but nothing major. His entire adult life could have been described as sedate. One of the things he had prided himself on was his ability to keep life simple and relatively trouble free. Not that problems didn’t arise, but it was never anything major.

Seeing this news article was a sober reminder that no matter how trouble-free a person tried to keep life, if trouble is pointed at you, there is little you can do to avoid it. He sighed and continued reading.

“… Authorities are not yet sure of the exact cause of death, as the details are quite unusual. ‘It looks like the unfortunate man was attacked by some kind of animal, but there are clearly more than one set of human tracks we found at the scene. We’re investigating this very closely and are doing a thorough check of the area for any evidence, such as DNA, etc. The puncture marks in his neck indicate he was bitten by something perhaps the size of a large dog, but the angle isn’t right, and there would have been bite marks on both sides of the neck; not to mention bite marks on the rest of his body from the attack; his wrists, forearms, legs, hands. For an animal to get him low enough to the ground to bite him like this, there should have at least been claw marks or scratches on his body or face. Nothing.’

“Police say that the strange bite marks, combined with the human tracks, might suggest a murder involving a trained animal but have no conclusive evidence at this time.

“‘Right now we’re exploring every plausible possibility, and this seems like one of them. The public can be assured that we are doing everything we can to find the perpetrator.’

“While authorities are unable to discuss the case in detail, they have assured reporters that they will release information when it is safe to do so. For now, police urge residents to be careful and use common sense.

“If you’re going for a jog at night, go with at least one or two people. Stay in the residential streets where people can hear you if you’re attacked. Though Stanley Park is the jewel of Vancouver, we still wish people would avoid it at night. It’s a small forest in there, and if no one’s around, it would be easy for an attacker to catch you alone.”

Jelani closed his eyes and sighed. “What the hell should I do about this…?” His eyes popped open and he skimmed the article to one part. He found it and read again.

We’re investigating this very closely and are doing a thorough check of the area for any evidence, such as DNA, etc.

DNA! “Shit!” He stepped back into the bathroom and looked in the mirror. No scratches on his arms or chest. Nothing on his stomach, shoulders, legs, face. He grabbed a hand mirror and checked the back of his legs, his back, head, the back of his neck. After a full body assessment, Jelani was satisfied that he hadn’t unwittingly left behind any DNA that would have brought the police to his door. “Lucky you can’t leave fingerprints in dirt and on trees,” he thought aloud.

He heard his phone’s text alert.

4pm, Scotia Theatre … my place?

Probably wanted to get a cup of coffee before the movie, since she lived right by the theater.

See you at 3?
He sent the message and dressed. When he came out of his room he found Daniel on the couch, eating a bowl of cereal and reading on his computer. “You read the news?” he asked.

“Of course,” Jelani said heavily.

“You leave anything behind that’ll light a trail back here?”

“No. I already checked myself for any scratches or cuts.”

“How about that knife?”

Jelani shook his head. “No. One of the first things I did when I got home was clean it.”

“You sure there isn’t more to this, man?”

Jelani felt his heart leap into his throat. “What … what are you saying? You don’t think I actually had anything direct to do with this, do you?”

“Of course not, dude. I’m just saying …” He sat the bowl down and looked up at Jelani. “Honestly, man, I don’t know what I’m saying. Of course I don’t think you had anything to do with it. I just don’t want you to have forgotten something or done something that could wind you up in trouble. You know the police almost have a magical way of figuring things out from almost nothing.”

“Yeah, I know. I’d probably be a little more worried if this was L.A. You don’t get as many murders in a year here as L.A. does in month or two, probably.”

Daniel looked back to the computer. “You look like you’re going somewhere. You’ve got the day off, right? Going to find some more trouble?”

“Funny. No, I’m going to a movie with Melinda.”

Daniel nearly coughed on the cereal he’d started eating again. “Melinda ‘The Tease’ Reese?”

“Funny,” Jelani repeated.

“Hey, she’s had that nickname for a long time. And if you ask me, sounds like you are cruising for a bit of trouble, if only in the form of frustration. I never took you for a masochist.”

“I’m not trying to get down with her tonight, dude. We’re just going to a movie. Besides, she caught me after I woke up and I wasn’t thinking on my toes.”

“You must not have been, since you answered the phone in the first place. You know all that girl is going to do is string you along. She loves the attention.”

“You think I don’t know that? Besides, I think I need something to get my mind off of all this.”

Daniel gave him a doubtful look. “So, to get your mind off all this, what are you going to see?”

Jelani knew he was trapped. “Uh. Haven’t decided yet.”

“Okay, chick flick of some sort. Not unexpected, so which one?”

Jelani looked away. “
The Sainted Sinner
.”

Daniel, who had just taken another bite of cereal, chewed and swallowed, carefully placed his bowl on the table, and fell into a fit of laughter. Jelani endured the endless mirth until finally his roommate subsided, grabbing at his stomach.

“So,” Daniel cleared his throat. “So you’re going to see
The Sainted Sinner
with Melinda Reese so that you can get your mind off of last night?” To his credit, Daniel lowered his voice when he mentioned the previous night’s events. “I can think of absolutely no guy who would intentionally endure a chick flick unless it’s with his wife, girlfriend, or a girl he’s trying to make his girlfriend.”

“Whatever the movie is, the thought of a huge dark room where nobody can see me is an enticing idea.”

“Yeah!” Daniel said, in mock enthusiasm. “And who knows! Maybe if you rest your hand on the armrest with your palm facing up, she’ll drop her hand into it, and the next thing you know, you’re both resisting the urge to grapple all over each other in the theater.” He placed a finger on his cheek and looked up as though thinking. “If my memory serves, she lives close to the theater, right?”

“Alright man, you can relax the sarcasm.”

Daniel chuckled and stood, grabbing his bowl. “Just having a little fun, you know that.” He put a hand on Jelani’s shoulder. “Even if she’s a shameless tease, she’s still gorgeous, and maybe the mental sparring will do you some good.”

“What do you have going on today?” Jelani asked, wanting to change the subject.

Daniel went into the kitchen to wash out his bowl. “Nothing as exciting as you, I’m afraid. I’ve got to put a few more tweaks on this latest project, then stop in the office for a few. After that, nothing.”

“Maybe when I’m done, we can go for a run, then hit the mats.”

Daniel nodded. “Sounds good. I should be done by then, and if you aren’t worn out by all that passionate bed time with Melinda, we can get some training in.”

“Real funny,” Jelani said, opening the door. “I’ll call you when I’m done.”

***

Chapter Six

“Why do you keep glancing over your shoulder?” Melinda asked, after what must have been the fifth time he’d done it since meeting her at her apartment. He realized he had better relax. “You must have read about that murder in Stanley Park, too. It’s not like that’s the only murder that has ever happened in the city, Jelani.”

“True. It’s just a habit.” That wasn’t a complete lie.

“Oh, I forgot, L.A. boy.” She stretched, no doubt “accidentally” giving him an unobstructed view of her well-shaped upper bodily curves.

“It’s not like I grew up in the rough side of town or anything,” he continued. “It’s just that you learn to watch your back.”

“Fair enough. I still don’t understand why you would move here from Los Angeles. There’s so much more to do; so much more to the city than here.”

Jelani looked away to hide his rolling eyes. He’d had this conversation more times than he could count. People never realized what they had until it was gone. “Hey, it’s all in what you want in a place. There’s never a lack of things to do in L.A., but I’m not really that guy; never have been. I like that VC is small, and I love nature and fresh air. Eventually, I want to buy a place in the suburbs. I’m not really a downtown guy, though this is the most unique downtown I’ve ever been in, for sure.”

“Mmhm. You want to get a drink before the movie? We’ve got a little more than an hour?”

“You know I don’t drink.”

“Just one. I’m sure your super-discipline can stand the shock of one sinful drink.”

Jelani looked at her, her sandy brown hair was draped over her shoulders, perfectly combed. Though she hated them, he loved the freckles that lay sprinkled across her cheeks and small nose. Melinda had the type of sharp, angular features that made model agencies salivate. She looked back at him, smiling. She must have spent years in front of the mirror, perfecting the way she could make those green eyes smolder. Her lips were thin, but just a little. Jelani typically liked fuller lips and a more rounded nose, but that wasn’t a static preference. Only a blind person could deny the attractiveness of Melinda.

“You afraid I’ll get you drunk and have my way with you?”

Jelani laughed. He was quite sure that wouldn’t happen. Or would it? “Yeah. That’s pretty much what I’m afraid of.”

She shoved him. “Well, you wouldn’t have to see the movie.”

Jelani perked up. “Hey, you’re right! Why don’t we just skip the movie and drinks and just go back to your place.” He draped an arm around her and leaned in close. “Or I could go grab some drinks and we can loosen up there. That sounds more convenient. Then we won’t have to worry about stumbling back.”

They had stopped walking. For a few heartbeats, they stood there, staring at each other. Jelani loved her eyes. True, he was a sucker for eyes anyway, but he loved her smoldering green eyes. There was a little bit of fierceness in them that intrigued him.

“You see something you like?” She asked, her face close enough that he could smell the sweetness of her breath.

“Yes,” he said bluntly.

She blinked slowly. “You’re so cute!” she said, patting him on the cheek and continuing on. “Let’s just get a coffee from the Starbucks next door to the theater and go in!”

Jelani stood where he was, still facing the place Melinda had just been standing. He heaved a sigh and chuckled mirthlessly. “Baited again,” he muttered under his breath.

O O O

Late lunch and one torturously long movie later, Jelani and Melinda were standing in front her apartment building. “I wish we could hang out longer, but I’ve got to get to Burnaby in a couple of hours to babysit for a friend.”

“Sounds fun.”

“Kids can be fun, Jelani. You’ll see one day.”

“If you say so.”

She laughed. “Guys are almost always the same. You hate the idea of having kids till you have one. Then you’re mush about them.”

“If you say so.”

She shook her head and continued to laugh. “Oh, come here!” Before he could react, she stepped closer and grabbed his face in two delicate and soft hands and brought his face down to hers. His surprise was efficiently stifled as he enjoyed the feel of her soft lips on his. The kiss lasted longer than he would have expected, and shorter than he wanted. When she stepped back again, she was glowing.

“You know something? I like you, Jelani.”

He stood there, no doubt staring stupidly at her.

“You should close your mouth or a bird is going to take up residence.”

His mouth closed with an audible
click
of his teeth, and she giggled, stepping a bit farther away. “I guess this is goodbye for now. Enjoy the rest of your day, love. Talk to you later?”

“That can happen.”

She frowned. “Sometimes you say the weirdest things.” She tilted her head to one side. “But it’s cute.” She turned and reached into her purse for her keys, all the while Jelani absolutely did not notice how well her pants complimented her curves. Once she was halfway through, she turned and smiled warmly at him. “Don’t be such a stranger; okay?”

“Okay.”

“Bye-bye,” she said, flapping her fingers up and down in that girly wave that all guys loved to have directed at them.

“See you.”

After the haze cleared from his mind, he reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. After finding Daniel’s number, he dialed his roommate.

“Hah ha! So a movie and you’re out, huh? Judging from the time, I’d say it was a movie, dinner, coffee, and a carrot and string!”

“Yeah, yeah, whatever. Might have been progress made today, might not have been.”

“What? She give you a peck on the cheek and a pretty smile?”

“Let’s just say those lips are a little softer than I’d imagined.”

“No way!”

“I’ll tell you about it later. You still up for today?”

“Let’s do it.”

“Cool. I’ll see you in thirty.”

He hung up the phone and enjoyed a deep breath of fresh air. “Well, that was unexpected.”

“I thought it was considered insane for a person to talk to themselves.”

Jelani froze mid step. He knew that voice. He’d heard it before, back in Stanley Park. He turned to see the same woman from last night. Five feet five inches tall, long black hair tied into a ponytail that draped over her right shoulder. He saw those same light brown eyes as last night, and enjoyed yet another view of her smooth brown skin; too much of that brown skin was exposed for this time of year. She was dressed in a short top that stopped several inches above her navel, and a long skirt that fell to her ankles.

Above her bare, sandaled feet, were anklets with tiny bells. They must not be real bells, because he didn’t hear anything when she’d snuck up on him. She must have dropped out of a tree or jumped out of a bush or something.

“I … it’s not considered insane unless you answer yourself from a different perspective,” he replied. “Aren’t you cold in that?” He waved a hand at her clothes.

“I don’t get cold very easily,” she replied with a wink.

They stood silently for a while, each regarding the other. The top of her head was barely over his shoulder, but there was a presence about her that suggested the situation was the other way around. She smiled, ever so slightly, and those light brown eyes seemed to dissect him on the spot.

She stepped closer and he took a step back without realizing it. “Don’t tell me I make you nervous? You look like you can take good care of yourself, and I’m such a little thing.”

Jelani never blinked. “Only a fool assesses a threat by physical appearance alone.”

“Am I a threat?”

“Are you?”

“Maybe.” She narrowed her eyes, and Jelani imagined venom dripping from that smile.

“Have I wronged you in any way I’m unaware of?” He asked.

“Not at all. I just found you interesting and thought I would see if I could find you again.”

“You’ll have to excuse me if I find your presence a little unnerving, considering the circumstances in which we met.”

She nodded appreciatively. “I can understand that. You look to have avoided the fate that Hunter had in store for you.”

“Hunter?” Jelani frowned. “You mean that guy dressed in all black? He looked like an assassin.”

She seemed to consider the word, but to Jelani, it looked more like she was just having fun with him. “In a manner of speaking, you could say he was an assassin. But assassins target important people. The man that was after you was about as far the opposite of important as can be possible.”

“You could describe me the same way,” Jelani replied. “I’m nobody important, either. So why would that guy target me? I hadn’t even gotten a look at his face until he was after me. He could have taken both those guys out and I would have been gone in the opposite direction by the time he finished.”

The smirk on her elegant face suggested his naïveté was quite cute. “They don’t take chances,
jaan
. They never leave anything to chance. You were there, and that’s enough.”

Jelani felt a cold that bit deeper than the air that misted his breath as he gave a sharp exhale. “So what are you saying? Should I watch my back?”

“You can watch every part of your body that makes you comfortable.”

“You know what I mean.” Jelani was feeling a quiet sense of alarm creeping on him, yet she seemed unperturbed by all this.

“You should be very careful, though I don’t know how much good it will do you. Hunters do not give up. Sooner or later they will find you.”

“They? There was only one of them. What’re they gonna do? Empty the guild on me? I was out jogging and was attacked by whoever or whatever that guy was, and now I’m the bad guy here?”

“It’s not personal, you understand.”

“You seem pretty detached from all this. Shouldn’t you be worried, too? You might have been seen.”

Not a flicker of concern crossed her features, even for a second. “I think I should be fine.”

“You think that big guy can protect you from these Hunters?”

To his continued confusion, she looked on the verge of laughter. “With or without Kafeel, I think I should manage alright.”

He didn’t even try to hide his confusion. “Well, I appreciate you appearing from wherever you were hiding just to rattle my cage. Was there a point to this?”

She shrugged. “I find you interesting.”

“Interesting …” he parroted. “You find me … interesting.”

“Yes, I do.” She smiled at him, and a flicker ran across her eyes. It happened so quickly that Jelani wasn’t sure what he’d seen.

“Well, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t find you interesting as well. Mind telling me your name?”

“Why do you want to know my name?”

Jelani frowned, and for a moment, he was utterly speechless. “Um, well … people usually introduce themselves when having a lengthy conversation such as we are.” She tilted her head as if studying him as he spoke. “You aren’t from here, are you?” He used the question as an excuse to guiltlessly give her a once over, taking in every curve and enticing dimension of her perfect figure. As always, it came back to the eyes, and what eyes they were! Light brown, with just a hint of eyeliner that angled up at the corners.

“I mean, you’re obviously Indian.” He tilted his head. “North Indian, if I place the stud in your nose correctly?”

She smiled, and this looked more a genuine smile of surprise instead of a cat smiling at a particularly amusing mouse. “How would you know that?”

“I have a fascination with world cultures. I’ll not pretend to be an anthropologist or anything, but I learn things here and there. Oh, and my name’s Jelani.”

“Jelani,” she said, and there was recognition in her voice. “And are you great, or powerful?”

Now was Jelani’s turn to be surprised. “You know the meaning?”

“Swahili origin, naming the child great, or powerful. I see it in you. For a human, at least.”

Absurd as that statement should have sounded, he wasn’t surprised. Right then, this small, gorgeous, delicate-looking woman seemed more like a hunting cat, capable of doing things to him he didn’t want to imagine. It was a feeling, an instinct that hit him in the stomach so hard rational thought couldn’t penetrate. He stared at her for a few moments, and she patiently endured his scrutiny. She had said what she did on purpose to gauge his reaction, he knew. But why?

“And I’m to guess that you aren’t human, then?”

“What do you think? Don’t I look human to you?”

“Aside from the fact that I’ve never known there to be anything other than humans in the world, suspending my sense of reality for a moment, yes, you do look human. But things aren’t always what they seem.”

He saw approval in her eyes. Damn, but this girl was making him nervous. “You are a survivor, Jelani. I can see it in your eyes, in the way you move. I can see it in the way you hold yourself ready, even though you’re standing in front of a girl who is much smaller and lighter than yourself. It is a shame you came to such luck last night.”

“Yeah well, I know how to keep a low profile.”

“The only way to elude the Hunters is to move very far away. And if the wrong person has taken an interest in you, there is no place on earth you could hide.”

Jelani took a deep breath to settle his nerves. “You seem to know a lot about these people. Think you could help me? Maybe your big friend?”

Her smile crinkled. “Why would I do that, Jelani?”

His mouth fell open, and he frowned in disbelief. “You stalk me and catch me on this street, tell me all this stuff about Hunters and how I can’t elude them, and you have no intention of helping me?”

“I must admit the thought hadn’t occurred to me.”

Jelani looked at her, blinking. “Then why are you here? And why did big brotha-man help me last night? Having some fun playing mind games with me?”

She laughed. “Oh, little child, Jelani. Watch your step and keep your wits. I’m beginning to think you may just survive this. It will be interesting to see if you do.”

“Man get the hell outta here with that!”

She crossed her arms over her chest and arched an eyebrow. Half the smile still remained but he couldn’t tell if there was any amusement behind it.

“Hey, I didn’t mean it like that, okay? Try to cut me some slack. Someone shows up out of nowhere and tells me someone who I’m guessing isn’t human is hunting me and I can’t give them the slip. It messes with your head a little bit, okay? At least it’s messing with mine.”